This is the 10th in a series of previews of LSU's 2013 opponents. Each day we'll take a look at another opponent through the eyes of someone who knows them the best - the local beat writer.

Alabama beat writer Andrew Gribble of AL.com has the preview here with a quick, five-question survey of the Crimson Tide. LSU visits Alabama Nov. 9 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Kickoff time and broadcast details are TBA. See the Tigers' full schedule here.

Alabama

2012 Record: 13-1, 7-1, SEC and BCS Champion

Coach: Nick Saban, seventh season, 63-13, 39-9

Returning starters: Offense (6), Defense (7)

Is there any cause for concern with the offensive line losing three stud players?

It's clear that Alabama's offensive line probably won't be as good as it was last year, particularly at the end of the year when it was absolutely dominant. But the Crimson Tide appears to be in pretty good shape when it pertains to replacing those three All-Americans. In Chance Warmack's place at left guard is Arie Kouandjio, the older brother of left tackle Cyrus, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.

Third-year sophomore Ryan Kelly, who practiced extensively with the first team last year, will be the new center, replacing Barrett Jones. Junior Austin Shepherd beat out junior-college transfer Leon Brown to replace D.J. Fluker at the right tackle. Even if the offensive line takes a significant step back, it might not matter because Alabama has a deep cast of explosive playmakers at wide receiver and running back.

Is there a chance AJ McCarron will have the reins taken off and let him shoulder the offensive burden a little more this season?

I don't know if McCarron necessarily had the reins on him last season. Alabama aired the ball out much more than folks gave it credit for. I haven't broken this down yet, but the Crimson Tide's run/pass ratio in the first half of most of its games was fairly balanced. McCarron has the freedom to audible into a variety of plays at the line of scrimmage because the coaches respect his knowledge of the game. He's surrounded by a cast of playmakers, led by Amari Cooper, who should allow him to spread the ball around like he prefers. I don't think the offense will be THAT different. I just think people are going to start noticing just how much freedom McCarron really has.

What is the biggest loss on defense and who will be that unit's breakout player?

I suppose the loss of safety Robert Lester could be significant just because he was the captain of the defensive backfield and provided a veteran presence in a group that once again skews on the young side this season. HaHa Clinton-Dix, who played a lot as a sophomore and is considered one of the best safeties in the country, will likely take over that leadership role. As far as breakout players go, it's all about how you define the word. Linebacker C.J. Mosley is the defense's best player who will have his nose in most plays. Players who were reserves last year who could emerge in their new starting roles are big junior defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan and sophomore nickel back Geno Smith.

Is there a sense of pressure for a three-peat?

If there's pressure, Alabama's players and Nick Saban aren't talking about it. That's how "The Process" works. Saban brushed of any and all questions about it last week at SEC Media Days and so did the Crimson Tide's player representatives. At the same time, these players aren't robots. You have to believe that it's on their mind in some way. I just don't see it providing any more pressure than is already on their shoulders. Ever since Alabama went undefeated and won it all in 2009, that's been the expectation heading into every season.

Have Alabama fans begun to nudge Nick Saban up near the Bear Bryant plateau?

I'd say he's already etched his own legacy that stands next to Bear Bryant's but it's not one that elicits many comparisons among Alabama fans. Not yet at least. There's an understanding that what Bryant accomplished and what Saban has and continues to accomplish are fairly amazing things, but they aren't exactly comparable because the climate that surrounds the game is completely different.